Strain a Gnat, Swallow a Camel

Jesus was pretty tough on the religious leaders of His day. In this passage He calls them hypocrites no less than 4 times! "woe to you, scribes and pharisees! hypocrites!"

why so tough? they:

1. Follow the law when it's convenient, but find excuses when it counts

2. They look good on the outside but are corrupt on the inside

3. Because they look good on the outside they add corruption to unsuspecting bystanders

4. They condemn their anscestors for persecuting the prophets, but do the same thing themselves!

They are witnesses against themselves...they will be judged with the same judgement they have judged others with...

ouch.

yet, listen to the words Jesus has for "regular ol' sinners":

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, O how I longed to gather you under My wings as a hen gathers her chicks"

i'm glad i've learned to be just a "regular ol' sinner".